The Run Down

Transitions

2011-06-15T06:37:00.000-07:00

I am finding, that as a new mom it is tricky to find a time to get a workout in. Here's the dilema: Marlee loves to party at night! So I love to sleep from 6-9 am with the peanut :) However, in AZ it is as hot as haitis by 9 am so thats the end of the morning-run option.
I could go right when Aaron gets home, but again...hot as the devil! By then I have to wait until 7pm for it to cool of, and it just doesn't happen because my late night party is about to start again with Mars!
Long story, short; I'm still getting the hang of this mom stuff!

This morning was glorious! Little lady woke up at 5am instead of the usual 3am. So I fed her cute self, and put her back to bed, and headed out for a run. I decided when I was out, that there is no better time in AZ during the summer to run!
So this is my commitment: To get up every morning and go for a 5 am run. I will be a better mom for it!

In my mission to tranistion smoothly, from fancy-free adult, to loving mom, I have looked for advice on the trusty web to get some hints. Here's a helpful article I found.

Help for MOMS who run!

Here are some options.

Early Morning Run

Getting up before or at the crack of dawn can be challenging especially after you've been up with the kids all hours of the night, but the hardest part is getting out of bed and it is totally worht it in order to get in a good solo run.

Prepare as much as you can the night before, get the coffee ready, the iPod charged, the clothes out, the ice-cold water in the frige so you can get out the door faster.

What to eat before a morning run? If I'm only running 3-4 miles, I just drink coffee and take some water with me. If I'm running longer distances, a piece of toast with peanut butter and banana or oatmeal are great pre-run breakfasts.

Be Flexible

Not all of us fit moms have a schedule where we know exactly when we can and can't count on our partners. I've learned to be flexible.

Something that I've always struggled with is my baby's dad will walk in the door just after I ate a heavy lunch and say, "I'm here. You want to go for a run now?" Got to love it!

I've learned to use his spontaneity as a way to help me eat healthier. Now I eat light meals throughout the day.

Nothing heavier than a salad or piece of toast with a little peanut butter and banana until after my run. That way my stomach is ready to handle a run any time that I can fit it in. And I always have a pot of coffee ready if I need a little extra boost to get me strated.

Break Your Runs Up

Another great way to fit in your runs is to break them up. You can break up your runs in a single day, one run in the morning and one run in the evening.

Or if you are training for a long distance race and need to get in a long run, you can break it up into two semi-long runs, two days in a row. Just try to get them in as close together as possible in order to best mimic a long run.

Gym with Daycare

Gym with daycare has been a lifesavor for me! My son loves to go to the gym daycare and play with the other kids, "new toys" and just have a change of scenery. And I LOVE being able to get in a good workout!

The gym has taken on a whole new meaning for me since I became a fit mom. I know longer think, "I have to go to the gym and get in a workout." Rather I think something like this, "I need a time out so I think I'll go the gym!"

Home Gym

Another alternative to joining a gym is buying a piece of home gym equipment. Treadmills can be quite expensive but if you're a hardcore runner, it can be totally worth it. Here are some home treadmill reviews.

And here are some altertnative at home workout ideas. My favorite home workout that I enjoy doing with my toddler is rebounding.

Ways to Run with Your Kids

Run with a Jogging Stroller

If you have a small child, a baby jogging stroller is a must have! Here are some tips for finding and running with a jogging stroller.

Have Your Kid Ride a Bike or Scooter Next to You

I see moms in the park all the time running with their kid on a bike or scooter next to them. I'll hear the mom say, "Stop at the next light and I'll meet you there!"

Of course a kid has to be old enough to follow instructions in order to do this. Mine is not there yet, but it's something I'm looking forward to!

Get Your Kids To Run With You

My son is two now and most of the time we still run with the jogging stroller, but for short distances he runs with me and I'm surprised at how fast he can go!

When we're running with the jogger, I'll run to a field, let him get in a good run, then put him back in the stroller and finish my run.

Here's a picture of him fueling up after a race of his own.

~I LOVE that last one! When Marlee is old enough to run with mom, she will! I can't wait:)

I love this shirt, cause having a newborn at night, makes me a super hero! :)

2011-05-31T10:54:00.000-07:00

my new running partner

2011-05-25T08:45:00.000-07:00

With the help of my cute running stroller, this little cutie will be my new running partner!

Marlee Marie Kleiner

born May 19, 2011

11:14 am

6 lbs 1 oz

17 inches long

Can't wait to go on our first run!

what's running??

2011-04-17T15:08:00.000-07:00

Welp, my "running blog" has turned into an "update/journal blog" exactly what I didn't want to happen. BUT, I absolutely could never leave out our news....
We went to Orem, Utah this weekend to meet Bailey Price, Dane Peterson, and all of the people who love them. Why you ask? Because they have chosen us to be the parents to their little girl!!!! For the last 4 years 9 mos and some days... Aaron and I have tried to have a little Kleiner...with no luck, so when we found out this news we were humbled, happy, excited, nervous...and totally blessed. Here is the weekend recap.

on our way...completely excited!

This was the absolute sweetest thing! They threw us a baby shower and wrapped up all the things they had already bought for the baby and gave it to us. I was humbled, and so grateful.

Here is the card that Bailey gave us to announce her decision. It says, "You're Expecting" on the front!

Brownies and Ice Cream is a must at a baby shower.

Here is what they gave us. Christine, Bailey's mom made this quilt for us and the baby. They had these pink pins that say mommy and daddy on them, that we wore! And she gave is sonogram pictures. We are blessed.

Can you tell I've been crying?!

This is us, with Bailey, her mom, and Dane's mom, Kaye

We had THE most amazing experience at the temple. If you ever want to know about it, ask me!

Bailey's brother, Brady passed away 8 months ago. We too her to lunch and went to his grave. It was beautiful. and now we can say we saw all of her siblings.

Love..

Isn't she beautiful?! She is the ONLY person I know who can pull of firery, red hair! I love you Bay!

The Parents

This one WILL be hung in our home

We feel blessed beyond words. I know we have waited and had pain in regards to infertility, but never would I have imagined that THIS is what God had planned for us. I know women who have their own children have so much joy, but I have to say that I feel like this is the greatest joy Aaron and I have ever felt. Not only to be parents, but to experience all of this with the most amazing people. Bailey is perfect. She knows what she wants, she knows who she is, and I love her like a sister. I hope she reads this!

God has a plan for every single person. I'm am so blessed to have MY plan be with Bailey!

Very Random Update

2011-03-19T17:34:00.000-07:00

First thing's first.......you gotta go to our adoption blog and check out the new pics of our humble abode!! DO IT! Click HERE or click on the sidebar button. thanks....

Here is what I looked like on St. Patty's Day with Jenksy boy. He looks pissed huh?

Here is what WE looked like on our date night last night :)

Foxy...

I haven't posted picture of my new car yet....so here ya go....

I love that it's an SUV. It's a good car for a baby, right??!!

And here is the GORGEOUS table that the bubbs just re-did on his spring break! Don't worry, new chairs are coming soon.

Oh yeah....ever since I've been off of fertility meds/fat pills...i've lost some lbs! check it out. This is me at London's Run last years and this year...

someone remind me next time I go on fertility meds, to not eat!

Told ya this was a Very Random Update ;)

Spartan Race Rundown

2011-03-12T15:38:00.000-08:00

Spartan Race was a HUGE success!! Not only was it the most fun race I've ever run, but I got 17th overall for the females. It was seriously hardcore and I felt so "cool" the whole time doing it ;) So here it goes...

This was my pre-race meal the night before! Not kidding, what is wrong with me? I can not go without some sort of ice cream every single day!

Here is the boring shirt.....you'd think they'd have something that made you look more "spartan-ish!"

Yes, it does say, "Spartan Race. A Primal Challenge"

I'm mean really...A Primal Challenge? HECK YEAH

And for real...this is ALL I got. ??

Here is the usual laying-out-of-the-clothes-ritual

#2488 baby! ~Nothing like an early morning picture to make you sick to your stomach~ ;)

This race was located way out in the sticks....otherwise know as Rawhide. So I had to do the "touristy" things! It's all apart of the pre-race pump-up

Then things started to get serious and I had to "out-flex" the first Spartan I laid my eyes on.

The start. 2 points of interest you should notice in this video:

1: I was one of the only girl in this huge crowd of meat-heads

2: Obviously I was so nervous for this crazy race....I look like a lost puppy!

The race was AMAZING! The absolute HARDEST race I've ever done....and don't forget, I've done Ultramarathons! It was also the most FUN race I've EVER done. I was sooo pumped the entire time. Even though I wanted to die a slow death out there on that crazy course, I was grinning from ear to ear. Aaron said that at the end when everyone looked freaked about the Gladiators who were about to pummel us, I was smiling huge! What can I say, I'm a man, man!

And now.....the main event!!!

I've been doing my pre-game homework and watching video upon video of other spartan races and their Gladiators at the end. I have planned and studied how to "juke" the crud out of those guys! So I got low and drove my shoulder into the biggest guy I could find! It was awesome. (Why am I a man?)

I was covered in mud, so I took a nice misty shower.

And this is what's left from the battle field.

WOW! I WILL be doing this next year....who's in?? (SERIOUSLY)

Breakthrough to Sparta

2011-03-09T07:21:00.000-08:00

I've kinda had a bit of a breakthrough! I've ALWAYS been very selfish with my running. It is MY time. It is MY pace! But this last week, I got to go running with one amazing chic! And now I have a weekly running buddy, I've scheduled a run with my sis-in-law tomorrow (that I'm SOOO excited about!) and I have scheduled a run with my long-lost best biking buddy, Lezlie. So, needless to say, I['m finding out that 2 might be better than 1 when it comes to running.

I'm also scheduled for a CRAZY race on Saturday. It's the Spartan Race. It's an 8 mile trail race with 15 obstacles. WOW! I'm a bit nervous just typing that.

There is a mud crawl under barbed wire..

There is a fire pit to jump over..

There is a mud tunnel...

And to literally add insult to injury, there is a gladiator guarding the finish line ready to joust me!! HAHA! I laugh every time I think about this nutty race. I am full-on ready to tackle that gladiator and he won't know what hit him! :)

Aaron often wonders why I have a man mentality!

Who knows?

I just love a challenge.

London's Run Review

2011-01-30T10:56:00.000-08:00

Another year at London's Run was a success!! I've done this race since the 1st ever London's Run. And I love it every year! I was registered for the 1/2 and then found out that my brother was coming home the same day......so I had to down-grade to the 10K. I guess I'll for give him the once!! ;) Oh, and more on Brent's arrival later.

Packet Pick-up: disappointing!

So this was the measly scraps I got in my "swag bag. iPhone not included!

Pretty much what I think of this whole deal......Lame!

But, the shirt was A-OK! I was so happy about it, I had to model like a super star!

When I brought this sorry excuse for a "ladmo bag" home, the bubbs got interested. He has be running with me every Monday night in an effort to have a good FHE experience:) so he wanted in on the fun! I told him to come with me and register for the 2 mile fun run! And I was so surprised when he actually DID.

If nothing good ever comes from this crazy New Year's resolution to run a race ever month this year....I'll be just fine because MY bubbies ran in a race for the first time!

On our way to Schnepf Farms where all our dreams would come true...

These are the Green's. They are one of the funnest couples around. Tim did the 2 mile with A-Rod and Christine ran the 10K with moi!

I feel like a proud mother watching her baby go to the first day of Kindergarten!!!

...Next shopping trip is going to result in sunglasses...

As you can see from the amazing scenery out at good 'ol Schnepf Farms, its fast and flat as a pancake!

Seriously...this is the flatest course I've ever run.

Done...with a PR in my pocket!

YAY for the bubbies! First race and he ran the whole way. I can't believe I married a runner:)

2 weeks

2011-01-16T20:12:00.000-08:00

My best friend comes home in 2 weeks! And for your viewing pleasure........

And remember my 2011 race schedule.....yeah....I'm already in a bind for the first race! It is London's Run which is a 1/2 or 10K. Apparently Brent is flying in at 12 noon the same day of this race. So although I REALLY want to run the 1/2 (to spank some other runners) I have to do the 10K so I have time to put up the signs for his arrival and make it to the airport on time. OR... I could just run the 1/2 and see him sometime that night ;)
So next post will most likely be either London's Run review, or Brent is home and I'm one happy camper! Either way, it'll be da bomb!

2011 race calendar

2011-01-08T11:46:00.000-08:00

Back in '08 I tried to run a race every month that year. I did it up until June and then I started training hard core for the Ultramarathon in September 2008. SO technically I didn't meet my goal, but I'm pretty OK with completing an Utramarathon.

Enough of that. In 2011 I will do a race at least 1 time per month. Since I won't race or even run on Sundays, I have to find races only on Saturdays. That's hard. But doable. I also have a road bike that I will ride if there is a race worth riding for. Like in November, the Tour de Tuscon is a great race. But if I can stay away from riding, I will!

Here's what I have so far.

January- London's Run 1/2 Marathon
February- Ethan's Run 1/2 Marathon
March- Scottsdale 3.1 Race Series #3- 5K
Mountain to Fountain- 15K
April- Pat's Run- 4.2 miles
May-
June- Scottsdale 3.1 Race Series #4- 5K
July-
August-
September-
October-
November-Tour de Tuscon- 109 miles
Turkey Trot- 10K
December- 12K's to Christmas- 12K

That's all I got! I'll fill them in on my sidebar as I get them. If you wanna join me....just tell me!! I'm kinda sick of being a lone ranger!

We're Certifiable ;)

2010-12-29T16:03:00.000-08:00

We're Officially Official!!

We are "certified as acceptable" in the eyes of the Arizona! If I were in charge of sending these certificates out, I would write....."You are certified to be the best parents ever, cause you have to go through WAY more than the average people to get a kid!"

So now we are off to find our babe...

Awww...don't you just want to hand over your kid to these fine folks? ;)

the week after Christmas...

2010-12-28T10:33:00.000-08:00

Here are a few pictures from Christmas.

Santa was so good to me and got me a Garmin 405!!!! This thing is da bomb dot com!!! I'll post a review on it a bit later.

Here's me being jolly.

Best part of our entire Christmas day was talking to my favorite brother on Skype (or Skypies) as my mom thinks it's called! ;) See all of us crowded around the computer like ravaging dogs! P.S. he comes home in 4 weeks...what?!

I finally got to use this puppy to full capacity on a seriously long run. (no, not the 4th annual 5K) I did 14.6 miles in 2:01:54 thanks to my new best friend...the Garmin.

This little guys is ah-mazing. It tells me my pace, my time, my distance from the "pacer", my heart rate. And that's not all....When I get home, I simply set it by my computer and it syncs my run to the computer wirelessly!! AND that's not all....it graphs my run so I can see on a map what I just did and the pace of my run. Whoa Nelly....I need to save my info for my post dedicated to ........The Garmin...(insert angelic music here!)

And this my friends is the aftermath of this joyous holiday...

SO overall, had a wondermous Christmas and now I'm even more happy because I get the week after Christmas off....the result of begging ALL year to my generous employer ;)

How was your Christmas?

Christmas

2010-12-22T09:17:00.000-08:00

Here we are at the Temple Christmas Lights.

And here's what happens when we try to take our own pictures!

Finally got a good one.

Bubbs is Old & 12K's

2010-12-13T07:52:00.000-08:00

This weekend was awesome! On Friday it was the Bubbies big day. 3-1 Holy Cow. He totally robbed the cradle ;) So we celebrated by getting a new car. Well, actually I bought myself a car. More on that later.

Then we mosied to Sprinkles for 2 of the best cupped cakes ever. Then to the mall for some b-day shopping by the big boy!

Here's A-Dawg in our (my) new car ;)

12K's of Christmas

On Saturday I ran the 12K's of Christmas in Freestone Park. There are carolers at every K! I still had to use my iPod though. It was really tough for me, I'm not sure why. I did PR for that race, but I felt like crap the entire time. Here is the night before when we went to pick up my swag bag. I was supposed to be fun and wear this Santa hat during the race, but I didn't :(

Here's my SWAG

Here I am taking a hidiodorous self portrait, because I was all alone. I know everyone supports me all the time, but this race was extra hard cause no one was there:( WAH WAH!! I know, call the wam-bulance, I'm pouty;)

Good weekend!

He RUNS?

2010-12-13T07:22:00.000-08:00

Yes--you heard me right.....

The Bubbs has been running!! I've dreamed of this day since we've been together! The day he would run with me.

So of course I had to take some pics to document this monumentous occasion!

2010-12-04T13:31:00.000-08:00

Look what I just found...

Actually, I just had it e-mailed to me. It made me happy!

6 cars

2010-12-01T06:36:00.000-08:00

That's how many cars I saw this morning at 3 am during my 8.3 mile run! Why 3am you ask? My brain was racing faster than my feet ever could....

Push-Ups

2010-11-29T08:42:00.000-08:00

I downloaded the "100 push-ups in 60 days" app! So I will soon be doing 100 push-ups IN A ROW!!

Here's what Jenksy-head thinks of this app! He is so pissed that I'm ignoring him and his ball!

"seriously mom, pay attention to me!"

push-up #42...weak sauce form!

The Trot!

2010-11-29T08:35:00.000-08:00

So the 1 race I look most forward to each year is the Turkey Trot! It was great this year...mainly cause I PRed BIG time! I can't wait for Brent to be there next year so I can smear him all over the road! ;) Here is some fotos!

First of all, so proud of my mom for doing the 10K for the first time! She rocked it!

These cuties are Brent's friends, who I love!

I made rolls for Thanksgiving dinner, and dang Jeana, they were ah-mazing!

Great Thanksgiving!

Our Spawn...Barf

2010-11-27T16:39:00.000-08:00

Been thinking about babies....when am I not??! Let's be real! So when I saw this crazy thingy on THIS blog, I had to do it myself! But when I saw the result, I threw up in my mouth! Maybe this is why we should adopt.....

PS~ if you haven't checked out our adoption blog on the side...DO IT!

preview-The Trot!

2010-11-25T21:19:00.000-08:00

My favorite race of the year was today! The Turkey Trot right here in good 'ol Mesa! I did better than my usual! Here are some pics as a preview...I'll add more later.....in the middle of "Elf" you cotton-headed-ninny-muggins!

speaking of "Elf" ...an "elf better bring me one of these for Christmas!

Peace

El Tour

2010-11-23T13:16:00.000-08:00

I did the Tour de Tucson this last Saturday and it was great!! I have to brag just a bit and tell you that I beat every man (and woman) on my team, except 1! That is huge for me! It took me 6 hours and 50 mins to ride 109 miles. Here is a video of the race. I didn't make this video but I like it! It's also done in 2007 but whatever!!

Here are some of my pics!

Loved going to the U of A book store! Aaron didn't!

The set-up!

After the race with Dr. Hamblin and Brent's friend, David Hamblin

Me and the Bubbs....funny story, we reserved a King bed but they gave us 2 queens and I was so happy! Isn't that sad?!

Me and my gals!!! we train together!

The start and finish

Our team!

Waving to the bubbs about to finish!

Back in the saddle...

2010-11-17T07:29:00.000-08:00

although no one reads this.....except this awesome chica, I am updating because I "shut-down" my family blog. Alrighty..so I've been running ALOT!! When in reality, I should be riding my bike............because, this Saturday I am doing the Tour de Tucson. It's a 109 mile bike race around Tucson, I did it last year and I loved it!

Wish me luck! Hope to have pictures after this weekend! Oh, and don't forget about the Turkey Trot next week on Thanksgiving!

2010-07-03T16:59:00.001-07:00

so....what's goin' down on the Run Down?!! ROAD Biking!! That's what! I still run, but I've been LOVING cycle class at the gym 5 times a week and riding my road bike on the beautiful roads of AZ!

Believe it or not this baby has actually bounced around the 202 going 70 mph!! And it still works like a dream!

So I I don't know what the "next" goal will be for me. Which is pretty rare. I always have something going. The only goal I'm working for right now is having a little spawn of Aaron Kleiner running around!! If I do a race I will for sure keep ya posted!

Should I?

2009-12-24T10:33:00.000-08:00

2 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride, 26.2 mile run...should I do it?

change of plans

2009-08-29T12:08:00.000-07:00

Okay so remember how I was doing my next big race in February....well that has changed to November!!! The office I used to work at I used to work at is putting together a team for the Tour de Tuscon. Yep that's right...a road bike race! My first ever!!! I'm so excited! I still can't decide if I should do the 80 miler or the 109 miler?! Tell me what you think.

I've been training with the Dr's I work for now, Dr. Chris Drew and Dr. Mike Smith. They are really good and are making me push it every time.

I'm also soooo flippin' excited to do a couple training rides with Lezlie Greene, the amazing lady I used to work with. I think she and I are the only women on the team...but we'll see.

So, help me answer this....Should I ride the 80 miler, or the 109 miler? No iffy answers...I want to know!

Back in business....

2009-07-23T07:55:00.000-07:00

Welp....last I left you I had the goal of being a mommy! Over the course of about a year, we still aren't preggo, and won't be without some serious $$$$! SO..this is the alternative. I have decided to run the SEDONA MARATHON on February 6, 2010. WOW that felt good to say.

I've got some hard work ahead of me, but I'm so excited to get back to waking up in the AM and enjoying the Arizona sunsets before anyone else!

Thank you running for being outlet when life gets hard!

I don't 'run' from my problems, I run because of them!

HERE is the info

Noble Canyon

2008-10-02T17:52:00.000-07:00

This will be my last post about Noble Canyon on The Run Down. Mission complete! I finished and beat the cut-off time. I'm so glad I kept this journal. I'm now going to print it out and put it in a book! Instant journal! I am, however going to continue with this blog. I bought a new road bike and so I will make this a journal of my "activities".
My next goal is a big one. Probably the biggest I've ever attempted! To be a mommy. That's right, although I will never stop running, biking and being REALLY active, I need to slow it down for a while so I can try this whole "mom thing" out! I'm still going to run a race here and there, so if anyone wants to join me, please let me know.
The next race (if you can even call it that) is going to be the Turkey Trot. It's a family tradition that Brent and I run the 10k Thanksgiving morning. I'm so excited to do a fun, light-hearted run.
For a movie and a post on Noble Canyon, click HERE.

6 days and counting!

2008-09-21T17:36:00.000-07:00

Only 6 more days to go until I will be running 32.9 miles in a place I've never run, with elevation I've never run in, and I'm actually EXCITED! I can't wait for Saturday to come. I've been checking on-line everyday to see who is registering late, and low and behold, Eric Clifton is going to be there again! I had no idea who this guy was until I started training for this thing 3 months ago. Almost everything I've read in the last months regarding Ultras, has his name in it. In my eyes he is the next best thing to Brad Pitt. (Who actually I can't stand, now that he donated to NO on prop 102) So, maybe Eric Clifton is way better! Any way, he is a "celebrity in the running world. So I don't know if I should be rude and try to talk to him before the race, or if I should just sit back and take in the "amazingness" that leaks from his pours. Hmmm..
As much as I'm thrilled to be doing this, I can't for it to be over at the same time. For the last 3 months, everyday of my life has pretty much been filled with thoughts of this day. I've read ever book there is to read about Ultras and running. I haven't drank a lick of soda, and have been chugging the water. And midway through our training, we got up at 3-4am to get in a long run. Needless to say, this training has made me feel like a million bucks, and I don't regret any of it! I literally feel like if I put in the time, energy and WORK, I can do anything.
I started this year out with a goal to run a race every month in 2008. I did that for the first 5 months. Now I'm going to end the year, being able to say I did an Ultramarathon. I honestly can't believe I am doing this!
So wish me luck, cause I need it, and I will post my last post, after the big day!!!

My Run in Louisville

2008-09-11T09:00:00.000-07:00

This last weekend I got to go back to Louisville to visit the family that I nannied for when we lived there. It was such a good time. However, it was the last weekend I had to run a long run. So I got up at 5am (which is still really dark there, since the sun comes up at 7) and hit the road for a 20 mile run.

The weather in Louisville was nice, but if you've ever been in the Ohio Valley, you know how hard it is to breathe in all the "muck". It is also really humid ALL the time. So my run went well, but I looked like I just jumped in the pool with my close on, after I was done. I didn't take any of these, but here is some pictures of Louisville.

The Mystery Iron Man

2008-09-11T08:42:00.000-07:00

I went for a run this morning around 5:30. Everything was great except that our beloved trails were flooded by the wash that got a lot of water in the storm last night. So I did about 5 1/2 miles on the trails when along comes this guy with a huge smile on his face. He ran next to me for a while and then started a friendly conversation of why we were both out there. I told him about my "event" (see preveious post!) and he told me about his training. It turns out that he is training for the Iron Man next June. Whew...I admire that so much. He asked if I wanted to go do some hills with him for a while. Since it was on my way to my car, I said sure! It was so motivating.

There is a hill on Power Road that we call "King Kong"! It is steep and about 3/4 of a mile long. Well the Iron Man was going to do 8 of those! I decided just to go as long could. We ran down pretty slow and he was smiling the way! We got to the turn around point, ready to go up the hill, and all he said was, "Here we go!" Then he proceeded to sprint as fast as he could up the huge hill. I was a little shocked and tried to keep some kind of pace.

Well, I made it 4 times, sprinting up and jogging down. The entire time this guy had a smile from ear to ear. The last time as I was running up, he was already on his way down, and he simply shook my hand and said, "have fun!"

I don't even know this guy's name, but I look at him like a celebrity. I was totally "star struck". He's probably just a normal guy, but he was the happiest man I've seen in a long time. It was really inspiring to me. So my hat's off to you Mystery Iron Man! Good luck!

More Updates

2008-08-27T19:06:00.000-07:00

When does it ever rain this much in Arizona. The past week or so, I really tried to get out on the train and run, but with all the monsoon storms, It's been difficult. Tomorrow I'm going to do an easy 12 mile run and I really hope the trail is not too muddy.

I also wanted to tell my dad and mom...THANK YOU!! They surprised me and said that they would pay for our hotel room in California for the race weekend. It's the nicest thing ever and I'm SO happy they're going.

Another thing I wanted to write in this journal was a funny story about my boss! Dr. Carlson is a road biker and be just finished a 200 mile bike race in Washington. He had the option of finishing the race in 2 days or 1. Only the very best bikers do it in 1 day. The most he had ever rode was 40 miles!! Welp, he did the race in 1 day!! It's awesome! I was so enthralled in knowing all about his training and the big day. Every time I asked him about "his race", he would say..."you mean my EVENT!?" He told me he wasn't planning on racing anyone, so it was an EVENT not a race!!! That is my new philosophy! This is going to be a great event!

Mice?

2008-08-10T08:37:00.000-07:00

I'm reading a book that i picked up in hopes of being inspired. I wasn't....to say the least. The book as a whole was awful. But there was one measly chapter that I loved. I loved it so much I made Aaron read it. This book is about a lady who won the "Badwater" road race. This race is crazy!! It starts at the hottest point in the U.S.-Death Valley, and ends up at the 2nd highest point in the U.S., Mt. Whitney. It's in the middle of July, so the temperature averages about 130 degrees, and it's 135 miles.
Any who, there is a chapter in this book called "Mice". She explains to everyone who "doesn't get" why people run.
There was a study done by the University of Wisconsin, where the had 2 different types of mice. One group were normal, bred mice. The other group was bred from 6 generations of mice who ran. The experiment was to see if exercise stimulated your mind. Well, they found something they didn't expect at all. Both groups of mice had normal exercise routines, where they would run on a wheel for a set time. Then they measured the brain activity in the mice. They were about the same for both groups. So they kept the "regular" mice on the running routine, and took the mice who were born to run, off the routine. They didn't let them run at all. They found that the mice who were essentially "born to run" were completely over stimulated when the didn't run.
That's exactly how I feel! Not that I have the genes for running...cause I don't! But I feel the most comfortable during and right after a run. When I don't run, like yesterday, I feel like I'm going crazy. I'm definitely addicted!

On another note: I haven't really kept up in this blog/journal, on how training is going. We're up to 18 miles on our long runs. During the week we meet at the trail head and do as much as time allows, which is only about 6 or 7. On the weekends we do our long runs and meet at 4, which means we get up at 3:30am! Rachel has a baby so she gets up even earlier. We run on the streets, in Las Sendas until the very second the sun comes up and we hit the trail. I am finding my muscles are getting a lot stronger, but they are getting tired. I guess that's when the mental toughness needs to kick in!

Noble Canyon is only 1 month away! I'm so excited!

Great Days

2008-07-29T17:59:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to write a post about my weekday runs. Not only do I feel amazing for the rest of the day after doing a run, but I seriously LOVE getting up early and starting my day with a run. This morning was especially fun. I think I just had a lot of pent up energy. That always makes for a great run. Rachel and I haven't been running together in about a week. Our run was full of conversation! Obviously we weren't training hard enough if we could talk the entire time. But I loved every minute of it.

Getting up in the morning was always a struggle, before I started this training. Now, although hard, I love being an early riser. My mom isn't going to believe me, but I'm officially a morning person!! Just ask Aaron.

We also saw a scorpion on the trail today. This was no ordinary scorpion. It was at least 4 inches long, maybe longer. That was an attention getter. I felt a little squeamish the rest of the run. It made me run a little faster though!

I do think I'm a bit of a sinner though. I'm totally addicted. If I don't go for a run 2 days in a row, I feel like I'll explode. Sad, I know!

I also wanted to post some of the equipment I have gotten for the race. I just got new running shoes. Asics GT-2130.

Since I hate holding my water bottles, I got a camelpak for my waist. I love this thing!

I guess that's it. I just thought I should post something since it's been a while, and this is the only form of a journal I have for this race.

Summary: I love training!!! (today!!)

Workin' Out For The Best

2008-07-12T09:51:00.000-07:00

Have you ever had one of those days when everything goes terribly wrong but turns out great? That's kind of how our morning went. Here's the details of it all!
Rachel and I had planned on meeting at the trail head at 4:15am, so that we could do what we did last Saturday: Go out on the street while it was still dark, and start on the trail just as the sun was rising. My plan was to wake up at 3:45am to eat, get dressed and be on time! That didn't happen. My alarm is set to radio when it wakes me up. Today, the volume was turned way down so my trusty alarm went off, I just didn't hear it. Thank goodness I rolled over at 4:30am and checked the time. That's right, I woke up 45 minutes after the planned time. If anyone knows me that is the first time in Melissa history to ever happen!!
So getting out there later..poor Rachel was waiting the whole time...we had to make some decisions. In order to get our 14 miles in we decided to run 3 1/2 out and 3 1/2 in, and then repeat. That sounded like a great plan, until we heard a loud rushing noise. We stopped for a minute, and couldn't tell if it was wind or water. Well, in about 2 quick minutes we looked down the cliff and saw a pretty big stream/river! The storm from 2 nights ago had made a river that was rushing FAST! As we were running, some bikers told me that they had been riding there for 15 years and they had never seen water in that wash! "Of course!" was all I had to say.
After seeing it and knowing that we couldn't cross it, we headed back, feeling destined to run on the miserable street. As we started on the street we quickly realized that there were mosquitoes EVERYWHERE.
They were getting my our mouth, my eyes, and sticking to my sweaty face. We both decided, in unison, that this wasn't working either. So we ran back to the trail head and decided to run to the water crossing, and back. It was about 1 mile to the water and 1 mile back, so we ended up doing that loop 5 times.
During the run, I stepped on a cactus, and it literally jumped up onto my ankle. Not fun! A really nice biker drove by and took it out with his glove. I really hate those plants!
All in all, the workout felt SO good! We got 13 miles done, and even with ALL the hiccups we managed do one of the best runs I've ever done! I felt so great after!
Lesson Learned: Something good always comes out of something bad.

The Saturday from....

2008-07-08T16:42:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, Rachel and I did our longest run yet. It was about 14 miles. We started with 4 miles on the pavement so we could finish earlier in the day. Arizona heat is killer even at 8 am! We started at 4:30ish. To be completely honest, these early mornings have been the hardest part in all of this training madness!! It is getting easier though.
Here are some pictures that we took in the first part of our run.

The beauty of where we’re running makes it so wonderful. That’s the only word I can think of. Just plain wonderful!
So..then there’s our water situation. The only water I brought on the actual run was 2 water bottles. I also had a water bottle in the car waiting for me after I got done. I didn’t get nervous about my water…or lack there of, until about 8 or 9 miles in. That’s about the time that I only had about 3 swallows left and I was feeling awful. So needless to say, I finished really slow and was disappointed in myself. That’s always something I struggle with. After a run that I should be proud of, I end up being so angry because I set the bar at a certain time or distance and I don’t make it.
After all that, we are modifying our schedule a bit. We are planning on making our loops shorter so it will be easier to store water and food.
During all this craziness of running out of water, dealing with the heat, and just plain running ‘til exhaustion, an even scarier plot was enfolding!!
Every time I run on those trails, I take my key off my key ring and put it in “my built in pocket”. (My bra!) I’ve never..ever had a problem with that. (I’ve been doing that since high school) So as usual, I put it in it’s spot and headed out. We ran on the pavement and stopped at the cars before we went out on the trail. As we were running on the ups and downs on the trail, I said, out loud to Rachel, “My key is bugging the heck out of me.” So I adjusted and moved on.
One of the trails we go on is called Saddle Trail. While we were finishing Saddle, I started feeling really bad. Dehydrated is not the word!!! It was really bad. So I was bending down stretching more than usual to try to catch my breath. I kept pushing on, and about 11 miles into it, I checked my key and it was GONE!! At that moment, I was fuming! I was so mad at myself for being so stupid. I’ve been doing that for 5 years, and when I thought about it, that was the dumbest thing ever!
So as I was running back to my car, with 3 miles to go, my head was flooding with all sorts of thoughts. Aaron was out of town fishing with my family and I didn’t have a spare key anywhere. I had done something like this when I lived in Hawaii and it cost me $200!! I also knew Rachel had 3 kids waiting for their mommy to get home, and I didn’t want to be the reason she was WAY late. We were totally out of water, and I honestly had no idea how much longer I could be out there without getting sick. The list goes on and on and on…forever.
As I was trying to run back, I told every person who passed me on a bike or on foot, that if they by chance spotted a key, take it back to the silver civic in the parking lot. (Fat chance of anyone even seeing in!!) I was also saying a little prayer the whole way that someone would find it, or that by some miracle that I would stumble upon it!
So I finally finished my run. If you want to know how mad I was at that point, all you have to do is ask Rachel. She had finished before me and was so nice and had a water bottle there for me to sip! I said thanks and walked passed her ready for the longest day ahead of me. I asked her if I could call Kent and have him find a locksmith online. I then started to check my doors to see if by chance I left one unlocked. As I was going around to the driver’s side, there was my key!!! Sticking out of the door lock, just waiting for me to drive home and get a cold shower! I, being the emotional woman that I am, started to cry! I felt like I just wanted to drop to my knees and say a huge prayer of thanks. I wish I could find out who found it and give them a huge kiss!!!
So although it was an awful run, the whole key issue turned out wonderfully. Just some more memories for my first 50K experience!

Yeah For Our New Running Friend

2008-07-01T20:40:00.000-07:00

After Saturday's mishap, Rachel had a brilliant idea to get someone else. Some one to keep us on pace, keep us safe, and be a back up partner in case one of us is MIA. We discussed this on Saturday and really tried to think of a partner of the male persuasion. Lots of names came to mind, but no one who really wanted to just plain help us out and run!

So after some thinking and searching, Rachel found someone in her own family.

HOORAY FOR DAVID!

Her little brother is a great runner. I've never seen him run and don't even know how good of shape he's in; all I know was we ran with him for the first time this morning and WOW! I felt great! He doesn't know this but he was pushing me to run it out hard. (He was probably thinking the whole time.."wow, she's slow!") Any way, I haven't felt that good running in a long time. When we were at the base of the steepest and longest hill on the whole trail, I looked up and there was David, almost at the top and charging hard! So inspiring.

Great training day, that's all there is to it! Thanks Rach for thinking of him, and thanks David for being a sport and running with the girls.

This is what I want to say to anyone who thinks we're crazy!

BOOO!

2008-06-28T09:23:00.000-07:00

That's exactly what I heard my body screaming at me this morning. "BOOOOO!!" Rachel and I met at 4:45-ish am and planned on doing 12-13 miles at our trusty trails! My body had other plans.

I started out fine,but by mile 6 I was getting really dizzy, and I had a shooting pain in my stomach. I know my body and know that when I'm running, I have to push though pain and then I usually feel fine. So I tried for about 2 or so miles and realized that this pain in my stomach was getting worse.

I was soooo angry at myself. (and that's an understatement!) I guess I can be too hard on myself!If my mind had feet it would have run off feeling great. But this darn body of mine needs to catch up to the strength of my mind.

By the way, Rachel finished the 12-13 miles in a really good time! This was just one little bump in the road to Noble Canyon! So, I guess what this means as far as my training goes, is now during the week on my "maintenance" runs, I'm going to put the treadmill on an incline or do the "Hill" option so it randomly moves up and down.

Time now to pick myself up and press onward! This will hopefully be me for the rest of my training! Here's hopin'!

2008-06-25T13:11:00.000-07:00

I don't think anyone who reads this is interested in doing an ultramarathon, but I found this article and I want it on my blog because it is so informatve and also a quick break-down of how tis is going to be! This is from Runner's World.

Ultra-Running

A MINIMALIST'S GUIDE TO YOUR FIRST ULTRA

How to run it--and survive it--without losing your sanity.

By Christie AschwandenPUBLISHED 03/07/2008

If you've finished a marathon, you can finish an ultra. So says Julie Fingar, top woman at the 2007 Rio Del Lago 100-Miler and coach and owner of Fit to Run in Granite Bay, California. Ultras typically range from 30 to 150-plus miles, but most people delve in with a 50-K event or a 50-miler.

Don't worry: Running a 50-mile race doesn't demand twice as much training as a marathon. "You don't need to double your mileage," says Fingar, who designed our ultra training program. "Your goal is to teach your body how to be out there for a long haul."

The key is a weekly long run. The longer that gets, the more recovery your body needs. The upshot: You may end up with more days off than you did training for a marathon. So relax--then get ready to make the move from 26.2 to 50.

Four Truly (Ultra) Essential Skills

1. Eating on the Run
GI distress is common when your stomach tries to digest while your muscles are using all the blood. Experiment beforehand to find foods that go easy. Some runners find that fructose (which is in many sports drinks and bars) upsets their stomach, so you might want to try fuels with maltodextrin. Try this: Two products with maltodextrin: Hammer Gel and Succeed Ultra energy drink.

2. Foot First-Aid
A hot spot could be a pus-filled bulge in minutes, so react to problems right away. Try preemptively taping toes and heels and lubing chafe-prone areas. Wear lightweight gaiters to keep rocks and dirt out of your shoes. Have dry shoes and socks waiting at a midway aid station in case your feet get wet.
Try this: John Vonhof's book Fixing Your Feet can help you prep for race-day issues.

3. Downhill Running

Nothing beats up the quads more than downhills, and many ultras include punishing steeps. If you're aiming for a hilly course, train so your legs can adapt ahead of time.
Try this: Find a steep downhill and push hard for one to three minutes. Repeat. (If you're sore the next day, you did it right.)

4. Running in the Dark
Since many ultras involve racing in the dark, get an LED headlamp and practice running with it. Some people also carry a flashlight for added depth perception.
Try this: The 2.8-ounce Black Diamond Cosmo LED can blaze at least 30 hours without any noticeable dimming ($30; bdel.com)

Delusions of Grandeur...?

2008-06-14T07:01:00.000-07:00

Lately, I’ve become literally obsessed with the musical “Wicked”. I haven’t even seen it but I love the music. One song in particular, is driving me right now in training. It’s called “Defying Gravity”, and makes me feel so inspired to keep going. It’s not so much the story of “Wicked”, but the lyrics of this song are so uplifting. (I know how weird this sounds) Here are some of the lyrics at the bottom. I deleted some, but you get the gist!
In one part, Glinda tells Elphada, the “wicked witch”; you’re having delusions of grandeur!!! That is the perfect phrase to describe the look I get from people when I tell them about this endeavor. So, is this one big delusion of grandeur? NO way! It is not a delusion, because it feels very much within reach. And it’s not going to be grandeur…..it’s going to BETTER!
This morning at about 4:30am, Rachel and I drove out to a trail behind Las Sendas. Here I am at 4am!

We did 3 miles out and 3 miles back in.

The terrain was rough, and the hills were pretty steep. I won’t speak for her, but although my legs were on fire, I felt great! The up-hills were really tough, and down hill was a good ride!

Overall, I feel really great and really excited that this goal is not just a delusion!
So I think for the next 3 or so months, I might be MIA because…… I’ll be defying gravity!!! Lyrics:

Something has changed within me

Something is not the same

I'm through with playing by the rules Of someone else's game

Too late for second-guessing

Too late to go back to sleep

It's time to trust my instincts

Close my eyes and leap

It's time to try Defying gravity

I think I'll try Defying gravity

And you can't pull me down...

Glinda: Can't I make you understand, you're having delusions of grandeur...?

Elphaba: I'm through accepting limits

'Cuz someone says they're so

Some things I cannot change

But 'till I try, I'll never know

Too long I've been afraid of Losing love - I guess I have lost

Well, if that's love It comes at much too high a cost

I'd sooner buy Defying gravity

Kiss me goodbye I'm defying gravity

And you can't pull me down...

So if you care to find me

Look to the western sky

As someone told me lately -

Everyone deserves the chance to fly

And if I'm flying solo

At least I'm flying free

To those who'd ground me

Take a message back from me -

Tell them how I Am defying gravity!

I'm flying high Defying gravity!!

P.S. -I has blogger formatting!! GRRR

Here's the video: make sure you watch 'til the end, that's the most insipring part!

Officially Official

2008-06-11T09:32:00.001-07:00

I'm official! The Noble Canyon 50K race registration began on June 1. They limited the field to the first 175 people to register, so I figured I better register soon! I sent in my check and my form last week and I have been checking the website everyday since to see if my name has posted. Well, it finally did and so far, I'm the youngest and the only applicant from Arizona!! That will change when Rachel's registration posts, but I still hope to be the youngest female to ever run it!! Here's the list so far....I'm # 27

2008 ENTRANTS

Number of Entrants: 37

	STATE	NAME	SEX	AGE
1	CA	Doug Spencer	M	50
2	CA	Thomas Kuerten	M	42
3	CA	Donna Duffy	F	55
4	CA	Dan Lehnberg	M	48
5	CA	Jay Lowry	M	41
6	CA	Jim Hagin	M	56
7	CO	John Hagin	M	64
8	CA	Enrique Medina	M	55
9	CA	John Heisner	M	43
10	CA	Madonna Bentz	F	54
11	CA	Damian Michaels	M	34
12	CA	Joey Bryan	M	39
13	CA	Linda Beckett	F	42
14	CA	Jim Evanko	M	46
15	CA	Michael Bates	M	61
16	CA	Chris Haines	M	49
17	CA	Loraine Reitman	F	26
18	CA	Phil Wright	M	64
19	CA	Diane Casey	F	46
20	CA	Judy Richwine	F	65
21	CA	Gary Richwine	M	59
22	CA	Tyler Robertson	M	26
23	CA	Marc David Alpert	M	40
24	CA	Pam Everett	F	48
25	CA	Jon Centofranchi	M	43
26	CA	Mike McDonald	M	64
27	AZ	Melissa Kleiner	F	23
28	CA	Daren Sefcik	M	41
29	CA	Dax Ross	M	35
30	CA	Charles Ellison	M	53
31	CA	Steven Funke	M	47
32	CA	Gary Levitt	M	52
33	CA	Jennifer Henderson	F	49
34	CA	Delfino Martinez	M	44
35	CA	Jeff Clabaugh	M	28
36	CA	Pat Knoff	M	43
37	CA	Chris Diaz	M	49

Genesis

2008-06-09T16:59:00.000-07:00

gen·esis (jen′ə sis)
noun
pl. -·ses′-sēz′

the way in which something comes to be; beginning; origin

This is the beginning. The start of a goal. A goal that has the potential of changing my life.

This blog is a journal, mainly for me; but anyone who is interested in following me in this adventure is more than welcome to visit anytime.

On September 27,2008 I will be running the Noble Canyon 50K race in Pine Valley, California. The race is 32.9 miles. It is also a trail run. Here is the map.

I wanted to have an account of my training and the actual race, so I though a blog would be a suitable place to accomplish that.

To read all about the race, click HERE.

There is a link on the sidebar that is the reason for this madness. RACHEL. She is my cousin and now my running partner. Even though we are training together, we will have very different experiences! We are in totally different places in life, yet find ourselves at the same goal.

I am excited, nervous, and anxious all at the same time.

Not only am I expecting to learn about what kind of a runner I am, but I know I will learn what kind of character I have. I want to be the person who doesn't give up. I want to be the person who inspires people. I want to be inspired. I want to be strong, but more importantly, I want to be mentally tough! The list could go on.

I love the saying, "What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger!" I know this experience will make me stronger. When I cross that finish line, I want to be able to say I'm a better person for taking this on.

Welcome to The Run Down & here's to RUNNING!!!